Cabo Tropical Storm Lidia Recap
Sept 9, 2017
Tropical Storm Lidia hammered Cabo early last Friday dumping a total of 27 inches of rain over several days, killing seven with 13 missing. It is expected the toll will go higher.
Authorities say the death toll could rise as they survey the damage and the flood waters recede.
State Tourism Secretary Luis Genaro Ruiz told the Washington Post that 20,000 tourists were stranded after airlines suspended flights to the area. 1,400 people reportedly occupied the area’s storm shelters.
At least two of the storm’s victims were electrocuted by downed power lines, while others were swept away trying to cross flooded areas.
Baja California Sur Governor Carlos Mendoza said it was, “the largest amount of water we have had since 1933.”
According to reports, flood waters ripped a baby out of a mother’s arms when she tried to cross a flooded area.
And while the extent of the devastation pales in comparison to the city of Houston that continues to reel from Hurricane Harvey – and the eastern seaboard waits with bated breath to see what will come of Hurricane Irma – major weather events like these remind us that major weather events know no borders. Climate change knows no borders.
-end
Cabo San Lucas Braces for Tropical Storm Lidia
| ...LIDIA HESITATES JUST SOUTHWEST OF CABO SAN LUCAS... ...TROPICAL STORM CONDITIONS CONTINUE ACROSS SOUTHERN BAJA CALIFORNIA SUR... | |||||||
National Hurricane Center: 6:00 PM MDT Thu Aug 31 Location: 22.7°N 110.2°W Moving: NNW at 8 mph Min pressure: 991 mb Max sustained: 65 mph | |||||||
By David Mandich
Aug. 31, Thurs. 8pm, Cabo San Lucas weather - wind: 36mph, temp. 79F, raining, dangerous flash flood, mud slide warnings.
Tropical Storm Lidia is approaching the Baja California Peninsula bringing the threat of flooding rain, strong winds and some storm-surge flooding.
(MORE: Hurricane Central)
Lidia is sitting in an area favorable for intensification in the eastern Pacific, about 25 miles southwest of Cabo San Lucas. Despite that, Lidia is having some difficulty consolidating an inner core of convection needed for faster strengthening.
A hurricane watch has been issued for Baja California Sur from Puerto Cortes to east of La Paz. A tropical storm warning has been issued for the Baja California Peninsula from Punta Eugenia to Bahia San Juan Bautista and also for mainland Mexico from Bahia Tempehuaya to Bahia Kino.
A tropical storm warning indicates tropical storm conditions are expected within 36 hours. A hurricane watch means that hurricane conditions are possible within 48 hours.
A track to the north-northwest is expected to continue late this week, essentially taking the center of Lidia up the spine of the southern Baja Peninsula, weakening as it interacts with land.
Gusty winds and heavy rain will affect Los Cabos through Friday. Impacts in the rest of the southern Baja will continue into Saturday before Lidia degenerates into a remnant low by Sunday. Keep in mind that wind speeds atop and on the windward sides of hills and mountains are often up to 30-percent stronger than the near-surface winds.
Rainfall accumulations of 8 to 12 inches are expected across the Mexican states of Baja California Sur into Baja California and western Jalisco, with locally higher amounts up to 20 inches possible. In the Mexican states of Sinaloa, Nayarit, Colima, southern Michoacan, southern Sonora and central Jalisco, rainfall amounts of 3 to 6 inches are possible.
This heavy rainfall may result in life-threatening flash flooding and mudslides.
In addition, a dangerous storm surge is expected to produce significant coastal flooding near and east of the center of this system over the southern portion of Baja California Sur.
High surf and dangerous rip currents are also anticipated.
There is a small chance some of the moisture associated with this system could enhance thunderstorm activity in parts of the Desert Southwest this weekend.
By this weekend, Lidia will begin to weaken as it interacts with land and cooler water temperatures west of the Baja California Peninsula.
The storm is moving toward the north-northwest at about 7 miles per hour (11.27 kph) and this general motion is expected to continue for the next couple of days, said the NHC.
"Lidia still has the opportunity to become a hurricane before landfall," said the NHC.
The storm could produce total rain accumulations of 8 inches to 12 inches (20-30 cm) across Baja California Sur and the western state of Jalisco, with isolated maximum totals of 20 inches (50 cm).
"These rains are expected to cause life-threatening flash floods and mudslides," said the NHC, adding that a dangerous storm surge is expected to also produce significant coastal flooding.
A tropical storm warning is in effect for Baja California Sur from Puerto Cortes to San Evaristo and mainland Mexico from Bahia Tempehuaya to Huatabampito, as well as a hurricane watch for Baja California Sur from Puerto Cortes to east of La Paz.
Weds. Aug. 31, 6pm
It remains to be seen if Tropical Storm Lidia will escalate to hurricane status. As of late Wednesday afternoon it was tagged as the first Eastern Pacific storm of 2017 with winds reaching 40 mph. If it stays on course Los Cabos will experience a direct hit late Thursday or Friday.
It remains to be seen if Tropical Storm Lidia will escalate to hurricane status. As of late Wednesday afternoon it was tagged as the first Eastern Pacific storm of 2017 with winds reaching 40 mph. If it stays on course Los Cabos will experience a direct hit late Thursday or Friday.
Lidia's predicted path includes the Baja Sur towns of La Paz, Loreto and Guerro Negro then heading west out to sea by Sunday or Monday.
A hurricane watch is in effect and local authorities are preparing the communities in case. The storm has caused heavy rain in southwest Mexico prior to it heading out to sea.
Flights to Los Cabos are ongoing but don't expect all tourist activities to be available. The port was has closed 1pm Weds. with the fishing and other tourist oriented boats busying themselves tying up securely. Hotels are open.
Hurricane conditions remain possible and Mexico has issued tropical storm warnings. The US National Hurricane Center has issued the following notices as of 6 pm Wednesday:
Planning a Cabo Trip? You may be interested to know...
Cabo is home to some of the top Board Certified dentists in Mexico. You can vacation virtually free in Los Cabos with your savings of up to 75% on major treatments.
The Board Certified Mexico Dental Association has several member clinics in Los Cabos as well as Tijuana, Los Algodones, Puerto Vallarta and other locales.
The Board Certified Mexico Dental Association has several member clinics in Los Cabos as well as Tijuana, Los Algodones, Puerto Vallarta and other locales.
For the very best dentists in Mexico - always insist on a Board Certified dentist.
Get a Free estimate online: Board Certified Mexico Dental Association
Get a Free estimate online: Board Certified Mexico Dental Association
Tags: Cabo weather, Cabo San Lucas news, Cabo hurricane, David Mandich, Cabo fishing, Los Cabos weather, Mexico, Mexico travel, tropical storm lidia, lidia aftermath, hurricane lidia,